Cinereach, the film funding organization that supports “vital stories, artfully told,” has announced that it has granted 17 film projects a total of $350,000 in their second grant cycle of the year. This puts their total of $750,000 for the year, an increase over last year’s $500,000.

Cinereach Creative Director Michael Raisler noted, “This grant cycle marks a major milestone for Cinereach as it includes our 100th supported film. It also comes at a time of new beginnings as we evolve by building on the experience of our first five years. Our grantees continue to confound expectations and resonate with audiences. We remain committed to our belief in film as a significant force in shaping global culture, and our newest grantees also represent Cinereach’s dedication to supporting manifold aesthetics, stories and voices.”

Below, a list of film projects that have received funding from Cinereach this cycle. Synopses provided by Cinereach.

“Citizen Corp”Dir. Tia Lessin and Carl Deal | USA | Nonfiction | In ProductionA story about money, power and democracy in the aftermath of the US Supreme Court’s recent decision to treat corporations as citizens.

“City of the Caesars”Dir. Francisco Hervé | Chile | Nonfiction | In DevelopmentWith Patagonia under grave threat from the forces of a new global colonialism, two men from radically different backgrounds and driven by radically different motivations mount separate offensives to preserve their treasured way of life.

“Cutie and the Boxer”Dir. Zachary Heinzerling | USA | Nonfiction | In Post-ProductionA meditation on companionship, sacrifice, and the creative spirit, this love story explores the chaotic forty-year marriage of two New York-based, Japanese artists.

“Gabriel”Dir. Lou Howe | USA | Fiction | In DevelopmentAs a teenager’s obsessive quest to find the first girl he ever kissed becomes increasingly frantic, his grip on reality starts to slip, putting himself and everyone around him in danger.

“God Loves Uganda”Dir. Roger Ross Williams | Uganda/USA | Nonfiction | In ProductionA journey into the heart of East Africa, where Ugandan pastors and their American counterparts spread God’s word and evangelical values to millions desperate for a better life.

“Inside Out”Dir. Alastair Siddons | USA, France, Tunisia, Japan, Portugal | Nonfiction | In Production A look at the journey charted by the artist JR as he leads a global participatory art project that empowers people to not just see art but to make it.

“Marmato”Dir. Mark Grieco | Colombia | Nonfiction | In Post-ProductionIn a historic Colombian gold-mining town, the miners’ way of life is threatened as a multinational mining company plans a total takeover.

Montana Medical Marijuana FilmDir. Rebecca Richman Cohen | USA | Nonfiction | In Post-ProductionReflecting the controversies enveloping the marijuana industry throughout the United States, Montana braces itself to become the first state to repeal a medical marijuana law.

“Powerless”Dir. Fahad Mustafa & Deepti Kakkar | India | Nonfiction | In ProductionIn Kanpur, India, hundreds of people risk their lives to climb up electricity poles to steal electricity. As police vehicles roll in to stop the theft, the lines are drawn for a battle over electricity.

“White Elephants, a Congo Trilogy”Dir. Kristof Bilsen | Democratic Republic of the Congo | Nonfiction | In ProductionA poetic look into a former colony in decay, as seen through the microcosm of three state-owned institutions.